Fraser Sturgeon

Fraser John Sturgeon of Saranac Lake, NY and Port Orange, FL passed away on May 13, 2011 at the age of 85. He was born May 16, 1925 in Youngstown, Ohio.

Mr. Sturgeon enlisted at the age of 17, before graduating high school as a senior of Utica Free Academy, and served with the US Marine corps during WW II. During his military career, he was awarded the Purple Heart. As an infantryman and infantry scout he participated in the invasions of Kwajalein, Tinian, Saipan and Iwo Jima. Following the war he attended St. Lawrence University and was a standout lineman on the fabled 1950 Hall of Fame football team, which was the only undefeated untied team in SLU history. He was one of the initial organizers of the Army ROTC program at SLU, and following his graduation was commissioned as an Army 2nd Lieutenant. He served with US Occupation Forces in Italy and Germany during the Korean War.

Following his second tour of military service, Mr. Sturgeon began his teaching and coaching career in Syracuse, NY. He moved to Saranac Lake in 1959.

Mr. Sturgeon was a long time coach and athletic director at Saranac Lake High School. He began his tenure in Saranac Lake in 1959 where he coached football (and served as scout for head football coach John Raymond), basketball, track & field, cross-country, and baseball. In addition to his coaching, he served as president of Saranac Lake ski club and instituted numerous youth related programs including Youth Corp. He served as athletic director until his retirement in 1984. Coach Sturgeon posted 356 wins as head basketball coach at Saranac Lake High School together with several league and sectional championships. He is credited with being the most successful basketball coach in Saranac Lake school history and the initiator of high school level girls sports to Saranac Lake. Fraser followed retirement as assistant coach for North Country Community College basketball.

In recent years, Fraser became certified as a Class A golf club maker. He worked at Saranac Lake Golf Club, along with various private and public Daytona Beach, Florida area golf courses. Fraser was a member of Port Orange Eagles Chapter 4089 and served as Chaplin for many years.

Fraser Sturgeon was predeceased by his beloved wife, Joyce Whitman Sturgeon on May 9,1991. He is survived by children Laurie and Kurt Sturgeon. Laurie, partner Michael Farmer and grandson Troy Amell reside in Port Orange, Florida. Son Kurt, wife Victoria and grandsons Drew, Casey and Carter Sturgeon of Saranac Lake, NY; Sister Jesse Fiehler and her husband Robert of Naples, FL; brother Richard Sturgeon of Ava, NY; predeceased by sisters Kay Piskorski and Jean Gasper; several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind several generations of former players whose lives he profoundly affected.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, May 18th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Fortune Keough Funeral Home located at 20 Church Street, Saranac Lake, NY, 12983. Funeral Mass at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake on Thursday, May 19th at 12 Noon. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Saranac Lake Fire Department. Family and friends can sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.cim.

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